The trouble with first impressions is that we can only make them once. Whether at a job interview or meeting your future in-laws, those people will almost always remember those initial impressions. The same is true when viewing a classic car as a potential restoration project. It is easy to overlook a candidate that exhibits tired paints and the unmistakable signs of rust. However, taking that approach with this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 350 could be a mistake. When we look beyond the weathered and rusty exterior, we find a numbers-matching car that is structurally sound. What this vehicle needs more than anything is a new owner willing to put in the time and effort to return it to its former glory. Located in Ontario, California, you will find the Camaro listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could take this SS home by handing its owner $26,000. I once again need to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting a promising project for us.

Dealing with the easy stuff first, it appears that this Camaro has been the recipient of a color change at some point. The owner includes a photo of the Cowl Tag, and it indicates a paint code consistent with Dover White with a Black vinyl top. It isn’t clear when the transformation occurred, but given the level of work we are about to discuss, reversing that change would not be difficult. Now, we need to address the elephant in the room. The Camaro has significantly more rust than I would expect to find in a vehicle of this type located in California. Still, there’s no knowing where else it may have resided. What makes the rust fascinating is its location. Finding it on the roof is no surprise because it commonly develops under vinyl due to deterioration of that material. There are also signs around the back window and areas in the trunk lid and taillight panels. However, the lack of issues in the lower extremities bode well for potential buyers. There may be a few spots visible in the lower rear quarter panels, but patches may address those problems. The remaining areas, like the lower front fenders, door corners, and rockers, look pretty clean. That is the tip of the iceberg because the seller indicates that the floors, frame, and trunk pan are rock solid. The only note of caution I would sound is that the interior shots reveal deterioration in the dash pad area where it meets the bottom of the windshield. This is a known rust trap and demands close inspection. Repairs are possible, but it is a time-consuming and fiddly process. The exterior trim condition ranges from good to restorable, while there are no problems with the glass.

Potential buyers with one eye on future values will be pleased to learn that this SS is a numbers-matching vehicle. It features a 350ci small-block V8 that sends its 300hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission. Chevrolet offered faster versions of the Camaro SS in 1969, but this car’s ¼ mile ET of 15.2 seconds could hardly be considered shabby. Not only is this car’s drivetrain original, but the Camaro starts and runs. It will undoubtedly need some work to return it to a roadworthy state, and even if the motor is healthy, I won’t be surprised if the buyer pulls it to detail everything to a high level. Once again, this is a time-consuming job, but the sense of pride that the next owner would feel every time they lifted the hood would make it a worthwhile exercise.

One aspect of this project that may consume more time than money will be returning the interior to a respectable state. It appears that someone has treated the seats to a re-trim in a combination of cloth and vinyl, and they seem to be in good condition below the heavy layer of dust. The same is true of the console and dash, although there are aftermarket gauges, and the factory radio has gone bye-bye. One excellent addition that doesn’t surprise me in a car from this location is factory air conditioning. Its health isn’t clear, but having it working correctly would seem another aspect of the restoration that would be worth the cost and effort. The carpet looks tired, while the kick panels and door trims have been cut to house speakers. Replacement door trims generally sell for $540 per pair, while the kick panels add a further $220 to the tally. Throw in $240 for a carpet set, and if these prove to be the only significant investments, it could prove the cheapest part of this build.

I’m not going to sit here trying to convince you that returning this 1969 Camaro SS 350 to its factory best will be an easy task because the grinder and welder will work overtime whipping the panels into shape. However, the car appears to be structurally sound and houses a healthy drivetrain and interior. Fully restored, it is a classic that should command a market value of $40,000 any day of the week. If the next owner achieves perfection, that figure could easily climb beyond $50,000. Like many First Generation pony cars, values continue to rise relentlessly. That opens an intriguing scenario for potential buyers to consider. If the purchase price and restoration blow out beyond the figures I’ve mentioned, it could still be worth the cost and effort if they intend to retain the car long-term. With the ongoing increases, it may not take long to recoup those perceived losses, making this a potentially worthwhile investment. It’s a concept worth considering.